Letter from Thomas Willis White to William Scott

Richmond, Dec. 15, 1836.

My Dear Friend,

Money is very scarce here - Times very hard - and, what is still worse I have a very sick wife - and "to mend the matter" my Printing is nearly suspended, in consequence of as ruinous as a foolish strike of the Journeymen Printers, - a strike that will in all probability prevent my issuing the 1st No. of my 3d [column?], earlier than the 1st February.

Your article on copy-right is received, and shall grace my next No. - I regret, that a previous arrangement will prevent its taking the lead.

I should like to see the attacks to which you allude, as well as Bennett's reply. I am very certain I never gave Mr. Price any cause to be angry with me, nor yet with my paper. When I had the pleasure of paying my respects to him in October last he received and treated me as a gentleman, and I must say that I was quite pleased with his [deportment?]. It is possible I may have said something in his presence, which he has misconstrued. Be his motives what they may, I care not for them. Nothing shall divert me from my purpose, - and that is to do justice to all my [?] so far as I know how to mete it out.

What can he mean by my purchasing "laudatory phraseology" from you, or your pen. I would despise myself, as much as I possibly could you, if such were the facts. I never paid you a cent for a [?] - nor never will. But I will pay you still for any thing you may pen for my [?] - or for any business I may appoint you to do for me in New York.

Talking of business, puts me in mind of the fact that you have some commissions on hand now, which I should like you to go about for me forthwith, - taking out such commissions as you may choose to take, for your trouble. I'm desperately in want of funds just now.

Will you also call on [Messrs?] [Saunders?] & Otley and inquire of them whether my packages were received, - and if so whether they have disposed of them according to their [promise?].

Did you hand to [Miss?] [Medina?] her parcel? What did she say.

Will you call on Mr. [Richard?] [Adars?] [Lachs?], and tell him thatI have not heard from him as yet, - and that this is the16th.

Ask Mr. [LSaunders?] if he will make the purchase I [proposed?].

Be pleased to remember me affectionately to your wife, - and believe me to be

Your Friend,

T. W. White

Mr. W. Scott.

[stamped] PAID [stamped] DEC [illegible]

[in red ink] 1 B

Wm. Scott, No. 80, Napan- St. New-York

[attachment] [wax seal?]